GLA sets out plans for collaborative procurement

The Greater London Authority (GLA) will aim to hit a savings target of £450 million by adopting shared services and collaborative procurement.

Using the 2010-11 budget as a baseline, the organisation believes the savings can be achieved by April 2013, Supply Management reports.

Nicholas Griffin, the Mayor of London's budget and performance adviser, told the publication there will be no shared centre for procurement in the early stages of the programme.

A system in which lead buyers are recruited from different agencies to manage categories for the whole group, as well as carrying out their existing duties, could be used instead.

He suggested the severity of the government's budget cuts has provided a fresh impetus for collaborative procurement efforts, despite the failure of past schemes.

"We have had a short sharp shock from the Comprehensive Spending Review … Now I think there is a real urgency to do something about it," Mr Griffin commented.

Established in 2000, the GLA is London's top-tier administrative body with responsibility for fire, police, transport and economic development.

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